How do I conduct a spiritual history with a patient?

A 2022 survey revealed that 81% of adults in the United States believe in God and 72% consider religion either very important or fairly important in their own lives. However, less than 10% of patients have ever had a healthcare professional ask them about their religious or spiritual beliefs. Performing a spiritual history with a patient allows providers to get a more well-rounded perspective of patients and better tailor treatment plans.

“Studies have shown that 50% to 90% of patients (depending on the setting) want physicians to address their spiritual needs”

— Dr. Daniel Sulmasy, Kilbride-Clinton professor of medicine and ethics

Performing a spiritual assessment can be as simple as asking a patient “Do you have any religious or spiritual beliefs that you would like incorporated into your medical care?” However, there are a few mnemonics you can use to help get a more detailed spiritual history from patients.

Mnemonics

At my medical school, we were taught the FICA mnemonic.

• F. Faith, Belief, Meaning:

  • Determine whether or not the patient identifies with a particular belief system or spirituality at all.

• I. Importance and Influence:

  • Understand the importance of spirituality in the patient’s life and the influence on health care decisions.

• C. Community:

  • Find out if the patient is part of a religious or spiritual community, or if they rely on their community for support.

• A. Address/Action in Care/Assessment and Plan:

  • Discuss and coordinate spiritual health issues with regards to caring for the patient.

The Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) uses the “GOD” mnemonic.

• G = God:

  • May I ask your faith background? Do you have a spiritual or faith preference? Is God, spirituality, religion or spiritual faith important to you now, or has it been in the past?

• O = Others:

  • Do you now meet with others in religious or spiritual community, or have you in the past? If so, how often? How do you integrate with your faith community?

• D = Do:

  • What can I do to assist you in incorporating your spiritual or religious faith into your medical care? Or, is there anything I can do to encourage your faith? May I pray with or for you?

With a quick Google search, you can find more mnemonics for conducting a spiritual history but I hope you can use these two as a start!

“Spirituality is wonder, joy, and shouldn’t be left in the clinical closet. ”

— Dr. Arthur Kornhaber, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist